Masters of Sorcery: 5 Best Movies Featuring Spectacular Magical Battles

Since it doesn't exist, people have very different understandings of magic. In pop culture, magic is often portrayed as a tool of power, a weapon that can be used to defeat an enemy. And, of course, there are many depictions of such use of magic in movies. These five are prime examples.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010, 6.1 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Amazon Prime

Starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel, this action-adventure fantasy film follows Balthazar Blake, a millennia-old apprentice of the legendary wizard Merlin, who protects our world from the imprisoned but powerful Morgana le Fay and her forces. As Morgana's followers attempt to free her from her magical captivity, Balthazar must find Merlin's descendant who can defeat the evil sorceress once and for all. Naturally, magical battles abound in the movie, each more fascinating than the other.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022, 6.9 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Amazon Prime

One of the most recent Marvel films, this movie about Scarlet Witch going insane and trying to rip open the multiverse to find a reality in which she has a family fascinated audiences with the amount of magical fighting. While Wanda's attack on Kamar-Taj and many battles with wizards are spectacular, Dr. Strange's fight with his evil version was perhaps the most riveting scene in the movie.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986, 7.2 on IMDb)

Available on: Amazon Prime

Sure, there are many exaggeratedly weird and funny things in this fantasy comedy-action movie as it follows a truck driver who tries to help his friend rescue his girlfriend from a gang of San Francisco's Chinatown bandits who also happen to be the minions of ancient evil sorcerer Lo Pan. The magic fight scene between Lo Pan and Jack's friend's friend Egg Shen may be somewhat ridiculous but it's pretty spectacular and memorable.

Willow (1988, 7.2 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Amazon Prime

Set in the fictional kingdom of Nockmaar, ruled by the evil witch Queen Bavmorda, this classic fantasy adventure follows the titular wizard, who is just learning his craft, and Madmartigan, a mercenary swordsman, as they protect a baby prophesied to rid the kingdom of the witch. There are many magical scenes in the film, but the duel between Queen Bavmorda and sorceress Fin Raziel is the most spectacular, as they fight to the death.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007, 7.5 on IMDb)

Available on: Max, Hulu, Peacock, Amazon Prime

When it comes to all things magical, Harry Potter is the ultimate movie. Throughout the eight films in the franchise, there are many magical battles between characters big and small, but the unexpected duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort in the Order of Phoenix is perhaps the most captivating, as the two wizards show the true extent of their magical powers as they attempt to subdue each other.